Add PWA as first-class distribution path in decision guide (#6664)

* Add PWA as first-class distribution path in decision guide

- Add NOTE callout at top routing web app developers to PWA section
- Add PWA row to the distribution paths comparison table
- Add 'Progressive Web App (PWA)' section with what you get,
  requirements, limitations, and when to choose PWA vs native
- Cross-link to PWABuilder, Edge PWA docs, and Store submission
- Add PWA to Related content links

Closes P2-4 from Indie Dev Doc Plan Round 2 (04/20/2026).

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

* Address Copilot feedback: fix PWA description metadata, table consistency, PWA wording, MSIX sideloading heading

- Update front-matter description to include PWA
- Fix 'Via Intune' -> 'Via Intune with Company Portal' in table for consistency
- Fix 'No MSIX tooling required' -> 'No manual MSIX authoring required' (Store-published PWAs are still packaged, just auto-generated by PWABuilder)
- Re-add missing '## MSIX sideloading — enterprise LOB distribution' heading

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

Author: GrantMeStrength

hub/apps/package-and-deploy/choose-distribution-path.md

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 ---
 title: Choose a distribution path for your Windows app
-description: Compare the available Windows app distribution paths — Microsoft Store, MSIX sideloading, and direct download — to find the right fit for your app and audience.
+description: Compare the available Windows app distribution paths — Microsoft Store, PWA, MSIX sideloading, and direct download — to find the right fit for your app and audience.
 ms.topic: concept-article
-ms.date: 04/17/2026
+ms.date: 04/20/2026
 ms.localizationpriority: medium
 ---
 
@@ -13,11 +13,15 @@ How you distribute your Windows app affects code signing costs, update mechanics
 > [!TIP]
 > **For most developers, the Microsoft Store is the recommended path.** It provides free code signing, built-in update delivery, broad discoverability, and a trusted install experience — with no infrastructure to manage.
 
+> [!NOTE]
+> **If your app is built on web technologies** (HTML, JavaScript, CSS), a [Progressive Web App (PWA)](#progressive-web-app-pwa) is the fastest path to the Microsoft Store — no native packaging tools required.
+
 ## Distribution paths at a glance
 
 | Path | Best for | Code signing cost | Auto-update | Enterprise MDM | Distributed via Store |
 |---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | **Microsoft Store** | Consumer and business apps, broad reach | ✅ Free (Store signs for you) | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Via Intune with Company Portal | ✅ Yes |
+| **PWA (Progressive Web App)** | Web apps and web-based experiences | ✅ Free (Store signs for you) | ✅ Via Store or browser | ✅ Via Intune with Company Portal | ✅ Yes |
 | **MSIX sideload (enterprise)** | Internal LOB apps via Intune/ConfigMgr | 💲 Azure Artifact Signing (formerly Trusted Signing) (~$10/mo) or self-signed + Intune cert profile | ✅ Via App Installer file or MDM | ✅ Native | ❌ No |
 | **MSIX direct download (ISV)** | Commercial apps sold from your own site | 💲 CA-trusted cert required ([Azure Artifact Signing (formerly Trusted Signing)](/azure/trusted-signing/) recommended) | ✅ Via `.appinstaller` file | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ No |
 | **Packaging with external location** | Existing apps with own installer needing Windows features | 💲 Same as MSIX direct download | ✅ Your existing mechanism | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ No |
@@ -45,6 +49,35 @@ Publishing to the Microsoft Store is the most complete distribution solution for
 
 → [Publish to the Microsoft Store](/windows/apps/publish/publish-your-app/msix/create-app-submission)
 
+## Progressive Web App (PWA)
+
+If your app is a website or built primarily on web technologies, a Progressive Web App is the fastest path to the Microsoft Store — with no native packaging tools or code signing purchase required.
+
+A PWA is a web app that browsers can install as a standalone app. It can run offline, send push notifications, appear in the Start menu and taskbar, and be distributed through the Microsoft Store. Use [PWABuilder](https://www.pwabuilder.com/) to package your site for Store submission in minutes.
+
+**What you get:**
+- Store distribution with free code signing (Store signs the package)
+- Works across any device with a modern browser
+- No manual MSIX, WiX, or installer authoring required — tools like [PWABuilder](https://www.pwabuilder.com/) generate the Store submission package for you
+- Built-in update delivery — users always get your latest web content (hosted content updates without a Store re-submission)
+
+**Requirements:**
+- App must be served over HTTPS
+- A [web app manifest](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Manifest) and [service worker](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Service_Worker_API)
+- App must pass [Store certification requirements](/windows/apps/publish/publish-your-app/msix/app-package-requirements)
+
+**Limitations:**
+- Deep native Windows APIs (file system access, hardware integration beyond Web APIs) are not available without additional bridging
+- App logic runs in a web context — not suitable for apps that require native .NET, C++, or WinRT APIs
+
+**When to choose this:**
+- Your app is a web app, SaaS tool, or content site you want to make installable
+- You want the fastest path to the Store with minimal tooling
+- Your feature requirements are satisfied by modern Web APIs
+
+→ [Overview of Progressive Web Apps](/microsoft-edge/progressive-web-apps-chromium/)  
+→ [Publish a PWA to the Microsoft Store with PWABuilder](https://docs.pwabuilder.com/#/builder/windows)
+
 ## MSIX sideloading — enterprise LOB distribution
 
 For internal line-of-business apps that will be deployed to managed devices via Microsoft Intune or Configuration Manager, MSIX sideloading is the recommended path.
@@ -158,4 +191,5 @@ Regardless of your packaging format, you can submit a manifest to the [Windows P
 - [SmartScreen reputation for Windows app developers](smartscreen-reputation.md)
 - [Current status of Windows app distribution features](distribution-feature-status.md)
 - [Publish to the Microsoft Store](/windows/apps/publish/)
+- [Progressive Web Apps overview](/microsoft-edge/progressive-web-apps-chromium/)
 - [Azure Artifact Signing (formerly Trusted Signing)](/azure/trusted-signing/)